Dorrigo Bowling Club to sell assets

HARVEY Kilgour said he was greatly buoyed by Sunday's show of public support for the Dorrigo Bowling Club.

“About 80 people turned up at the public meeting and gave their support to our plans to sell surplus land and poker machines to retire quite a considerable amount of the club's debt,” the treasurer said.

“A lot of people also came forward and offered to help in other ways because they did not want to see the club close.”

Mr Kilgour said yesterday he was awaiting approval to sell three of the club's poker machines to give the club some finances to get things moving.

Also awaited are the club's audited accounts, which once available would clear the way for amalgamation negotiations with the town's RSL Club to continue.

“Amalgamation is certainly something we all want – it has the full approval of our membership.”

Secretary/manager of the Dorrigo RSL, Richard Shadforth, said discussions about amalgamations had been going on for about 20 years.

“At this stage amalgamation is still part of the club's strategic plan. We would like to see it happen – it would be a good idea for the community,” he said.

“But the RSL Club cannot proceed until it has audited accounts from the bowling club.”

Chair of the meeting, Mark Troy, said the club's financial problems were echoed in many NSW clubs.